After I finished filling up my sunflower memory book, it was time to handbind another book for the same purpose. This time I put a lot more pages in, so it’ll last longer.
Some in-progress photos of the binding process. I added the tape as reinforcement, because I had an “oops” as I tried to fix a mistake with the fabric. It would have ripped over time without the tape.
I’m still learning how not to make a mess of the sewing…
And here’s how I’ve filled it so far!
Lots of people were so kind while my husband was in hospital and as I struggle to get my asthma under control (still fighting)… Thank you to @LovelyMiss’ writing group for all the wonderfully kind messages. They brought a smile during an exceedingly difficult time, and the whole family enjoyed them. I asked the family if it was OK for me to put the cards in my memory book, and they said yes 
I saw this idea on Pinterest. You cut off the bottom of a paper gift bag, glue the bottom of it to the paper, and then you have a hidden little “pop-up” pocket to store things in. I used it to store the program for Remembrance Day at my former unit, as well as an article about female veterans that @wittychild was so kind to send me in the mail.
The page below on the left is pure collage with bits and scraps of paper, and a nice quote I saw in a magazine. The page on the right has the flip-down element, which I created by using an empty stamp booklet. These are not recyclable because they’re sticker backings, so you might as well make some art with it I got the “dance” words from various postcard adverts for swing events in my region.
I’ll be adding more flowers to the “vase” below, and making little drawings to go in the squares on the right page. I cut out the squares from an old wall calendar and added little Fabric stickers! to cover up the dates. I’ll be adding little drawings inside the squares later on.
Another flip-down on the right page, also from a stamp booklet.
I covered the inside of it in paper scraps, fabric stickers, and more stamps 
The drawing of the bird and worm are by my youngest daughter; collage by me.
I found a great picture of City Hall to add to my Kingsotn page.
Another “open the flap” element from a used stamp booklet.
And another!
I’ll be adding collage to the empty side later on.
Lots more pages to use up and lots more mementos to save, cherish, and make into new art. I’ll update this post as I continue to create pages
Thanks for looking!